The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet ByWilliamShakespeare

William Shakespeare April 23, 1564-April 23, 1616

About Shakespeare Considered to be the greatest dramatist of all time Considered to be the greatest dramatist of all time Wrote 37 plays (comedies, tragedies, histories) Wrote 37 plays (comedies, tragedies, histories) Wrote 154 sonnets (14 line poem) Wrote 154 sonnets (14 line poem) Wrote 2 narratives Wrote 2 narratives

Family Born in Stratford-upon-Avon (80 miles outside of London) Born in Stratford-upon-Avon (80 miles outside of London) Raised in a middle class family Raised in a middle class family Parents: Parents: John–glovemaker, very active in politics John–glovemaker, very active in politics Mary Arden–daughter of wealthy landowner Mary Arden–daughter of wealthy landowner

Education Attended Stratford Grammar School until he was 12 years old Attended Stratford Grammar School until he was 12 years old School lasted 9 hours a day all year School lasted 9 hours a day all year Students mainly studied Latin Students mainly studied Latin Became interested in theater early in life Became interested in theater early in life

Shakespeare’s Home

Adult Life Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 when he was 18 and she was 26 Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 when he was 18 and she was 26 Family moved to London and he joined a theater company as a minor actor & editor Family moved to London and he joined a theater company as a minor actor & editor Had three children: Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died when he was 11 years old. Had three children: Susanna and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died when he was 11 years old.

Career Was well-known in theatrical circles as an actor & playwright by the time he was 28 Was well-known in theatrical circles as an actor & playwright by the time he was 28 Became member & stockholder of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (an acting company) Became member & stockholder of Lord Chamberlain’s Men (an acting company) Lord Chamberlain’s Men was the most popular company of actors in England Lord Chamberlain’s Men was the most popular company of actors in England

More Career Plague strikes London in 1592 and theaters closed due to 1000’s of deaths Plague strikes London in 1592 and theaters closed due to 1000’s of deaths Shakespeare was wealthy landowner and established playwright by 1590’s Shakespeare was wealthy landowner and established playwright by 1590’s Bought the Globe Theatre in 1599 Bought the Globe Theatre in 1599 Retired in 1610 Retired in 1610 Died from a fever on his birthday in 1616 Died from a fever on his birthday in 1616 Buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford Buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford

The Globe Theatre

“All the World’s a Stage and Men and Women Merely Players”

Shakespearean Theaters London, 16 th Century Lots of rivalry amongst theaters Lots of rivalry amongst theaters Extremely popular Extremely popular No roof, no curtains, no stage settings No roof, no curtains, no stage settings Daylight shows only Daylight shows only No scenery No scenery No lighting No lighting Atmosphere was created by words & actions Atmosphere was created by words & actions

Shakespeare’s popularity was at it’s height during Queen Elizabeth’s reign

More About Theaters First public theater (The Theatre) opened in 1576 (owned by James Burbage) First public theater (The Theatre) opened in 1576 (owned by James Burbage) No females allowed to act No females allowed to act Young boys played the female parts (boys your age!!) Young boys played the female parts (boys your age!!) Actors often had more than one role Actors often had more than one role

Theaters Again! Plays were always packed Plays were always packed All types of people attended—rich, poor, literate, illiterate, royalty, peasants) All types of people attended—rich, poor, literate, illiterate, royalty, peasants) Audience ate & drank throughout performance (fruit, nuts, beer) Audience ate & drank throughout performance (fruit, nuts, beer) If the audience didn’t like the play they would throw their food at actors If the audience didn’t like the play they would throw their food at actors Audiences loved excitement and action— especially bloody fight scenes Audiences loved excitement and action— especially bloody fight scenes

“Groundlings” paid one cent to stand in front of the main stage

Romeo & Juliet Authorized & completed version printed in 1599 Authorized & completed version printed in 1599 Protagonists Protagonists Romeo Romeo Juliet Juliet Antagonists Antagonists Montagues vs. Capulets Montagues vs. Capulets

“A pair of star- cross’d lovers take their life”

Romeo & Juliet Setting Setting Renaissance (rebirth) Renaissance (rebirth) 14 th or 15 th century 14 th or 15 th century Verona & Mantua (cities in Northern Italy) Verona & Mantua (cities in Northern Italy) Themes Themes The force of love The force of love Love as a cause for violence Love as a cause for violence Individual vs. Society Individual vs. Society Inevitability of fate Inevitability of fate

Source Hadd, Cathi. English teacher. Brewer Middle School, Hadd, Cathi. English teacher. Brewer Middle School, 2007.